Kerala planning Cruise Tourism: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 21 (UNI) Kerala is planning to introduce a Cruise Tourism Project in the state in and around the Vizhinjam -Mangalore waterway, state Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan disclosed in the Assembly today.

The proposed project would be implemented through the Tourism Resorts Kerala Limited (TRKL), functioning under the state Tourism Department, he said in a written reply.

The Board, which met on February 17, had decided to start its preliminary works and to entrust the feasibility study of the project with the National Transportation Planning and Research Center (NATPC).

The government was exploring the possibilities of utilising the ports under the Harbor Engineering Department for the purpose, he said.

Mr Balakrishnan said the government had information that some states were operating commercial shipping services. However, it had no knowledge whether any coastal states were operating such cruise tourism in the country, he added.

UNI